
E %A\ 



Glass 

Book -7675 



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PROCEEt)INGS 



• 

OF THE 



MEETING AT YORKTOWN, 



u 

PREPARATOBY TO A ^^ 



NATIONAL CENTENiIl CELEBRATION 



OF THE 



SURRENDER OF*LORD CORNWALLIS, 



WITH 



CORRESPONDMCE HAD IN PURSUANCE THEREOF. 



KICHMOKD : 
K. E. FKAYSER, SUPERINTENDENT PUBLIC PRINTING. 

1879. 






By transfer 
JAN 29 mo 



MEETING AT YORKTOWN. 



OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS. 



In accordance with announcement, a meeting of the citizens of York 
and others interested in the object of inaugurating a proper celebration of 
the coming anniversary of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, 
and initiating a movement to bring about a successful national celebration 
of the centennial of the same on the 19th of October, 1881, was held at 
the court-house at Yorktown on Thursday, September 4th. 

The meeting was called to order by Colonel R. T. Armistead, of Wil- 
liamsburg, who nominated Dr. :^obert H. Power, of York county, as chair- 
man, which was unanimously agreed to. 

Dr. Power, on taking the chair, returned his thanks for the honor con- 
ferred. He said the meeting had been called at the suggestion of the 
press of Virginia, sustained by the press of the country, in order that pre- 
liminary steps be taken to celebrate the coming anniversary in a fitting 
manner, so as to prepare for a grand national celebration of the centen- 
nial of the surrender of Cornwallis on the memorable 19th of October, 
1781. on the historic field of Yorktown. He then asked that a secretary 
be appointed. 

On motion. Captain William J. Stores was elected secretarj'. 

The chairman then read the following 

PRKAMBLE AND KESOLUTIONS : 

If the sreat events, the noble deeds and heroic achievements of the 
past affecting and determining the destiny of a great people, consitute the 
richest legacy which that past can bequeath to the present, then it becomes 
not only a matter of national pride and glory, but also of national interest 
and gratitude, to honor and distinguish by all the pomp and pageantry of 



national celebrations the virtue, valor and patriotism in which those deeds 
and achievements had their birth. If the memories of Lexington and 
Bunker Hill, where British power first bared for our subjugation its puis- 
sant arm, and where the revolution had its baptism of blood, shall live im- 
perishable in the American heart — if upon the city of Philadelphia that 
immortal Declaration, framed by our own Jefferson, has conferred historic 
renown — if battlefields North and South, eclipsing Marathon, Platea and 
Salanis, thrill and stir to-day with their glorious memories the American 
people — if all of these belong to fame and glory that shall suffer no dimi- 
nution from the lapse of ages — what shall we say of Yorktown and the 
19th of October, 1781? 

Within the broad limits of our great country there is no spot connected 
with our revolutionary struggle among which cluster so many memories 
appealing to our pride and gratitude. With its historic associations are 
mingled no mournful incidents of reverse and disaster. It was on these 
memorable heights that the great American, whose fame and glory belong 
not to us, but to the world, aided by the counsel and chivalrous gallantry 
of Lafayette, sustained and supported by the purse and patriotism of 
Nelson, won not victory alone, but achieved for us liberty and national in- 
dependence. Let us, then, as inheritors of that priceless boon, when the 
cycle of one hundred years shall have completed on the 19th of October, 
1881, testify to the world by a grand national celebration that we are not 
unworthy of such illustrious deeds, but revere and honor the memory of 
those whose valor at Yorktown marked an epoch in the history of the 
world ; therefore, ^ 

Resolved, That we heartily affirm and endorse the suggestions and re- 
commendations of the press of the State of Virginia, seconded by a num- 
ber of prominent journals outside of this State, to commemorate the great 
historical event connected with our history as a people and a nation, which 
took place at Yorktown on the 19th day of October, 1781, viz: the sur- 
render of Lord Cornwallis and his forces to General George Washington, 
Commander-in-chief of the Continental Army. 

Resolved, That we recommend to the military of our State, the various 
civic societies, and the municipal authorities of the cities of the State the 
propriety of participating in this celebration, and earnestly hope that they 
will co-operate to initiate a movement on the 23d of October next, having 
for its object a grand centennial celebration on the 19th of October, 1881. 

Resolved, That we respectfully request the Governor of the State of 
Virginia to issue a proclamation recommending to the people the propriety 
of this movement and the observance of the day, and also inviting the 



governors of the other States to take such action as may conduce to the 
grand centennial celebration of the historical event alluded to ; and they 
be invited to participate with the people of Virginia in the same. 

Resolved, That the Governor of the State be respectfully invited to be 
present on the occasion of the coming anniversary, and that he is respect- 
fully requested to invite the President of the United States and the mem- 
bers of his cabinet, and the governors of the other States, to honor the 
celebration with their presence. 

Resolved, That a Committee of Arrangements, composed of twenty 
citizens of the county (five from each district), be appointed to make ar- 
rangements for the initiatory movement proposed to take place on the 23d 
of October next, and they be authorized to invite two of our distinguished 
fellow-citizens, one to deliver a poem and the other an address on that day 
appropriate to the occasion. 

Resolved, That a committee of five of our citizens be appointed to pre- 
pare an address calling attention to the propriety of the centennial cele- 
bration proposed to be held in Yorktbwn on the 19th of October, 1881. 

Resolved, That the press of Virginia be requested to publish the pro- 
ceedings of this meeting ; and we also respectfully request such journals 
outside of the State to likewise publish or allude to the same. 

The following resolutions were proposed by Mr. Glennan : 

Resolved, That as it has been announced that there is to be a grand 
naval review in Hampton Roads during the month of October next, we 
respectfully request the Secretar}'^ of the Navy to order the vessels com- 
posing the fleet to be present in York river, in front of Yorktown, on the 
coming anniversary, to participate in its celebration. 

Resolved, That the Secretary of War be respectfully requested to authorize 
General Getty, commanding at Fortress Monroe, to participate with the 
troops under his command in the military observance of the coming anni- 
versary. 

Resolved, That as it is recommended that delegates from all the States 
be appointed to meet in Philadelphia on the coming anniversary for the 
purpose of forming a national association, the object of which is to bring 
about a successful celebration of the centennial at Yorktown ; that this 
meeting heartily concur in the movement, and recommend the appoint- 
ment by the Governor of Virginia of delegates to attend the same. 

On motion of Col. Armistead the preamble and resolutions of Dr. 
Powers and those of Mr. Glennan were unanimously adopted. 



In response to invitation the meeting was then addressed by M. Glen- 
nan, Esq., Col. R. T. Armistead, Judge R. L. Henley, D. H. Schively, Esq., 
and R. H. Armistead, Esq. 

Capt. W. J. Stores offered the following resolution : 

Resolved, That the adjoining and surrounding counties be invited to aid 
in providing a grand barbecue at Yorktown on the 23d of October, 1879. 

Judge R. L. Henley moved as an amendment that a committee of one 
from each of the adjoining counties be appointed to assist in carrying out 
the object of the resolution of Capt. Stores. Adopted. 

The chair appointed the following committee from each county : 

Neio Kent — Hon. R. T. Lacy, 

James City — Judge R. L. Henley. 

Charles City — John Lamb. 

City of Williamsburg — Col. R. T. Armistead. 

Warioick — Captain Nelson Smith. 

Elizabeth City — Thomas Tabb, Esq. 

Gloucester — Hairston Sewell. 

The chair next appointed the following committees called for by the 
resolutions adopted. 

COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS. 

Bruton District — Messrs. M. H. Waller, Wm. B, Schneck, A. J. Hovey, 
Wm. Lackey and N. Tajdor. 

Nelson District— Messrs. Dr. Wm. H. Shield, J. F. Hubbard, H. Hal- 
stead, D. H. Schively and F. C. Newman. 

Grafton District — Messrs. Dr. Robert E. Power, Thomas J. Crockett, M. 
H. Howard, John T. Crockett. 

Poquosiii District — Messrs. Levin Smith, John R. Thomas, Wm. Mes- 
sick, F. B. Smith and Milton Wilson. 

On motion, the chairman and Secretary were added to the committee. 

Committee on Address — Messrs. G. L. C. Salter, A. G. Hudgins, H. M. 
Waller, Wm. J. Stores and John R. Shield. 

On motion of Judge R. L. Henley, the secretary was authorized to ad- 
dress a letter to each member of the committee appointed from the various 
counties, notifying them of their appointment, and inviting their co-opera- 
tion. 



On motion the secretary was instructed to inform the Governor of the 
proceedings of the meeting, the Secretaries of Navy and War, and as far 
as practicable extend official invitations to the municipal authorities, mili- 
tary and civic associations. 

On motion of Col. Robert Armistead, the meeting adjourned with the 
understanding that the Commitee of Arrangements from York and adjoin- 
ing counties meet at Yorktown on the first Thursday of October next. 

ROBERT H. POWER, Chairman. 
Wm. J. Stoees, Secretary. 



8 



oom:]mxjnioa.tion 



FROM THE 



GO! ERNOll OF PENNSIL! ilA !0 M GOfraOR OF WMM. 



COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, 

Executive Chamber, 

Harrisburg, September 19, 1879. 

His Excellency, F. W. M. Holliday, 

Governor of Virginia : 

My Dear Sir: 

The mass meeting of the citizens of Virginia, held at 
Yorktown, initiating a movement for an appropriate and adequate celebra- 
tioii of the centennial of the surrender of Lord Cornwallis on the 19th of 
October, 1781, has attracted wide notice. 

The purposes of that meeting have received and will receive the warmest 
sympathy and heartiest co-operation of the people of Pennsj-lvania. It is 
manifest that the movement will and should assume national proportions. 

More than one hundred years ago Virginia invited the thirteen colo- 
nies to a conference, which resulted in the Declaration of Independence. 
Virginia may fittinglj^ invite the thirteen States to a united celebration of 
the final act in the struggle which secured that Independence on her own soil. 

I have the honor to enclose resolutions adopted by the Select and 
Common Councils of the city of Philadelphia in furtherance of this object. 
By virtue of these, and in behalf of the citizens of Pennsylvania, you are 
autliorized and requested to invite the governors of the original thirteen 
states to assemble at Independence Hall, in the city of Philadelphia, on 
the 18th day of October next, at 10 o'clock A. M., to take such action as may 
be deemed proper in reference to this subject. 

You can be assured of such aid from this State as will render the cele- 
bration a popular and patriotic success. As the preliminary steps have 



been taken by Virginia, it would seem most meet that the suggestions of 
yourself, the chief-magistrate of that commonwealth, should be first made. 
You will all be welcome in Independence Hall : and you will feel no hesi- 
tancy in indicating that place for the meeting of the governors or their 
representatives. 

Very Respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

HENRY M. HOYT. 



10 



PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS 



PASSED BY THE 



lEC! Ai raiili COiCILS OF M CIT! OF PEIUMLPPIL 



Whereas, The people of the Colony of Virginia, in view of the opress- 
ions imposed by the home government, which oppressions it had steadily 
refused to remove, did, in the year 1774, invite the twelve other Colonies 
of Great Britain in America to meet them in Congress, in the city of Phila- 
delphia, for the purpose of discussing and remedying their common griev- 
ances ; and 

Whereas, The said thirteen colonies, by their delegates, did assemble 
in Congress, and, failing to secure justice or relief, did, on July 4, 1776, 
publish to the world a Declaration of Independence, proclaiming the said 
thirteen colonies free and independent ; and 

Whereas, the war in defence of the independence so declared, virtually 
closed with the surrender of Lord Cornwallis' army at Yorktown, in the 
State of Virginia, on the 19th day of October, A. D. 1781, which surrender 
led to the separation of the thirteen colonies from the government of Great 
Britain, making them one people and establishing their true position among 
the nations of the earth ; and 

Whereas, The centennial aniversary of the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence, which was the signal event of the Revolution, was properly cele- 
brated in 1876 in the city of Philadelphia, it is becoming that the cen- 
tennial anniversary of the close of that memorable struggle, the 19th day 
of October, A. D. 1881, should in like manner be appropriately commemo- 
rated at Yorktown ; and 

Whereas, The propriety of holding in Philadelphia, at the next or 
ninety-eighth anniversary of the surrender of Yorktown, a preliminary 
meeting of the governors of the original thirteen states, with the view of 



11 

initiating a grand national centennial movement, has been most earnestly 
recommended by an influential mass meeting of the citizens of Virginia,, 
held this current month at Yorktown ; therefore, be it 

Resolved, By the select and common councils of the city of Philadelphia, 
that the governor of this commonwealth be and is hereby requested to in- 
vite the governors of the other twelve original colonies to meet liim, either 
in person or by delegate, in Independence Hall, in this city, on Saturday, 
the 18th of October next, 1879, for the purpose of properly bringing the 
subject of such celebration before the people of the whole nation. 

Resolved, That the use of Indepence Hall be granted for such purpose, 
and that copies of this preamble and resolutions be transmitted to his 
excellenc}^ the governor of this commonwealth, his excellency the governor 
of the commonwealth of Virginia, and to Dr. Robert H. Power, chairman 
of the Citizens' Committee at Yorktown, Virginia. 



12 



REPLY OF OOYERNOR HOLLIDAY, OF YIRCJIMA, 



TO THE 



HOIl Of PElSTlfilA 



COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, 

Governor's Office, 
Richmond, Va., September 24, 1879. 

Hiii Excellency Henry M, Hoyt, 

Governor of Pennsylvania : 

Mv Dear Sir : 

Your very kind letter has been received, enclosing the 
resolution of the select and common councils of the city of Philadelphia, 
inviting the governors of the original thirteen states to assemble in Inde- 
pendence Hall in that cit}' on the 18th day of October next, at 10 o'clock A. 
M., to take such action as may be deemed best for the purpose of properly 
bringing tlie subject of the celebration of the centennial anniversary of the 
surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, before the people of the whole 
counti'y, and assuring me of your cordial sympatliy and that of the citi- 
zens of 3^our state in this undertaking. 

I thank you and the authorities of the city of Philadelphia for this 
manifestation of friendship for us and interest in an event which, though 
taking place upon the soil of Virginia, ought to be remembered as belong- 
ing to the common glory of the Republic. 

I take pleasure in accepting the invitation, and will, as you request, 
extend it to the other governors. Surely no more appropriate place could 
be selected for such a meeting than Independence Hall, where more than 
a century ago, hy united declaration, was inaugurated an enterprise the 
hundredth anniversary'' of whose achievement we propose to celebrate. 

With much respect. 

Yours yery truly, 

FRED. W. M. HOLLIDAY. 



13 



COMMUMCATION FROM WALTER ALLISON AND WM. EYRE, Esqs., 

TRANSMITTING 

PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTION OF THE "CARPENTERS' COMPANY," 
OF PHILADELPHIA, IN REFERENCE TO A NATIONAL CELE- 
BRATION OF THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF 
THE SURRENDER OF LORD CORNWALLIS AT 
Y^ORKTOWN, OCTOBER 19, A. D. 1781. 



CARPENTERS' COMPANY, 

Hall, Carpenters' Court, 322 Chestnut vStreet, 

Philadelphia, September 23, 1879. 

To His Excellency F. W. M. Holliday, 

Governor of Virginia : 
Dear Sir : 

We have the honor to transmit herewith a certified copy of 
a preamble and resolution unanimously adopted at a meeting of "the 
Carpenters' Company of the city and county of Philadelphia," held at 
their hall on the evening of the 22d instant. It affords us great pleasure 
to present this invitation to use our hall for the purposes set forth in the 
preamble, as its associations are so closely identified with the early his- 
tory of our country that it seems a very proper place to celebrate the 
anniversary of the event which in eflfect closed the Revolutionary War. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servants, 

[Seal.] WALTER ALLISON, President; 

WILLIAM EYRE, Secretary. 



14 



PEEAMBLE AND BESOLUTION OF CABPENTERS' COMPANY. 



CARPENTERS' COMPANY, 

Hall, Carpenters' Court, 322 Chestnut Street, 

Philadelphia, September 22, 1879. 

At a meeting of tlie Carpenters' Company, held at their hall this Mon- 
day evening, September 22d, 1879, at 1\ o'clock, the following preamble 
and resolution were unanimously adopted : 

Whereas, The Carpenters' Company have received from Colonel J. E. 
Peyton, of Haddonfield, New Jersey, a communication stating the inci- 
pient steps toward the national celebration of the Centennial Anniversary 
of the Surrender of Lord Cornwallis, commander of the British forces, to 
the allied armies of France and the United Colonies, at Yorktown, Vir- 
ginia, on the 19th day of October, A. D. 1781, and which was virtually the 
close of the Revolutionary War ; and 

Whereas, The First Congress of the Thirteen Colonies, pursuant to 
an invitation made by the people of Virginia, assembled in the hall of 
the Carpenters* Compan}-, in the city of Philadelphia, on the 5th day of 
September, A. D. 1774, for the purpose of throwing off their allegiance 
to the government of Great Britain ; and 

Whereas, It is contemplated to invite the Governors of the Thirteen 
Original Colonies to meet in the cit}' of Philadelphia to consider the pro- 
priet}' of such celebration ; therefore, be it 

Resolved, That the Carpenters' Company, of the city and county of 

Philadelphia, do most cordially invite the Governors of the Thirteen 

Original Colonies, through his P^xcellency F. W. M. Hollida^', Governor 

of Virginia, to occupy our hall, and that the officers of this Company be 

requested to forward to Governor Holliday a copy of this preamble and 

resolution. 

[Seal.] WALTER ALLISON, 

President. 
Attest : William Eyre, Secretary. 



15 



REPLY OF GOVERNOR HOLLIDAY 

TO TEE 

COMinNiCATIOK FROM WALTER ALLISON AKD WM. EYRE, Es^s, 



COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, 

Governor's Office, 
Richmond, Va., September 24, 1879. 

. lessrs. Walter Allison and Wm. Eyre, Esqs., 

President and Secretary of "Carpenters' Company" : 

T)y.AK Sirs : 

Your letter has come to hand enclosing copy of resolutions 
passed by the organization you represent, extending an invitation to the 
Governors of the thirteen original States to occupy your hall in the city of 
Philadelphia, on the 18th day of October next, at their proposed meeting, 
to make arrangements for the national celebration of the one hundredtli 
anniversary of the surrender of Lord Conwallis at Yorktown. 

I thank the "Carpenters' Company" most cordially for this kind invita- 
tion, and for the friendship and patriotism manifested in their resolutions, 
and I thank you individually for the handsome and earnest manner in 
which you have communicated them to me. 

It gives me pleasure to accept the invitation. I will, as you request, ex- 
tend it to the other Governors, hoping they may meet me there at the 
time you indicate. 

Very respectfully and truly yours, 

FRED. W. M. HOLLIDAY. 



16 



COMMUI^IO^TIOISr 



FROM THE 



pRESim OF M mNiiMi Eimii wm 



OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL EXHIIBITON COMPANY, 

PiiiLADELrHiA, Pa., September 2dth, 1870. y 

To His Excellency, Frederick W. M. Holliday, 

Governor of Virginia: 
My Dear Sir : 
♦ I am directed by the board of directors of the Permanent 

International Exhibition Company to extend to yonr excellency and the 
governors of the colonial States who are expected to meet you in Phila- 
delphia on Saturday, October 18th next, to each and all of you, a cordial 
invitation to visit the building erected in 1876, in which the people of all 
nations participated, to celebrate the one hundreth anniversary of our 
National Independence — "The Main Centennial Building." 

I have the honor to be, 

Yours, very respectfully, 

J. A. PAXON, President. 



17 



»' 



REPLY OF eOTEipR OF VIRSfflA 



TO THE 



CillilCAll FEOJl PMl 



COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, 

Governor's Office, 
Richmond, "Va., October 1, 1879. 
Honorable J. A. Paxson, 

President of the Permanent International Exhibition Co.: 

My Dear Sir : 

Allow me to thank you cordially for j-our very kind in- 
vitation extdnded to myself and the governors of the other colonial States 
to visit the "Main Centennial Building," now under the control of the 
company you represent, when we meet in Philadelphia on the 18th of this 
month. 

I hope it will be the pleasure of the other gentlemen, as it is mine, to 
accept the invitation. 

With much respect, 

Yours, very truly, 

FRED. W. M. HOLLIDAY. 



18 



^ 



OOMMUlAc^TIOlSr 



FROM THE 



RECTOROFOLHIEiSiyUKHJEIUDELPiU, 



717 Locust St., Phila., Septemher 27, 1879. 

To His Excellency Y. W. M. Holliday, 

Governor of Virginia: 

Dear Sir : 

It will afford much pleasure to the officers of the Church, 
and to myself, if you, together with the governors invited by you to assem- 
ble in this city, will worship in Old Christ Church on Sunday' morning, 
October 19th, at 10| o'clock. Around this venerable building so many 
historic interests cluster that no place would be more appropriate. Names 
of men forever associated with the Revolutionary period of our country 
have worsliipped in its sacred courts. 

Hoping that your excellenc}' will be led to accept this invitation, 

I remain, very respectfully, yours, 

ED. A. FOG GO, 

Rector of Old Christ Church. 



y 



19 



REPLY OF fiOVEEjlR OF VMlflA 



I 



TO THE 



mmmum mi iitm i]f m cm ciici, piiu 



COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, 

Governor's Office, 
Richmond, Va., September 29th, 1879. 
z tc'jiend Ed. A. Foggo, 

Rector of Christ rh"-rrh : 

My Dear Sir : 

Your veiy kind letter has been received inviting myself 
and the other governors who may be in Philadelphia to worship in Old 
Christ Church on the 19th of October next, at 10| o'clock A. M. 

Independent of the sacred character of the edifice, the associations, as 
j-ou suggest, are such as to excite interest in the hearts of all who know 
anything of its history. 

I thank you for the invitation. I will avail myself of it ; and I hope, in 

company with the other governors, to be present at the religious services 

on that day. 

With much respect, 

Yours, very trulj'-, 

FRED. W. M. HOLLIDAY. 



10 

I 

t 



.Ma. 



PROGL^^^ATION. 



COMMC NWEALTH OF VIRGINIA. 
Governor's Office, 
Richmond, Va.. September 30. 1879. 

To the People of Vircjinia: v 

A meeting of the citizens of tiie State was held at Yorktowr. 
September 4, 1879, for the purpose of inaugurating proceedings, having" 
in view the celebration of the centei|nial anniversar\- of the surrender of 
Lord Cornwallis. 

The authorities and press of other States and municipalities have cor- 
dialh' entered into it, and have expressed a desire to join in lionoring an 
event which in etfect closed the "War of the Revolution and established the 
Republic. 

In accordance with the request i»f the meeting at Yorktown. I hereby 
invite the people of this Commonwealth to participate in a celebration, to 
take place there on the 23d of October next, which will be preliminarj^ to 
the grand national centennial of October 1-9, 1881. 

Very respectfully, 

FRED W. M. HOLLIDAY. 



lEJe'lO . 



